More Basic Human Needs ~ Justice, Safety, Inclusion, Security
As we continue to look at the basic human needs that allow workplaces to flourish, consider these:
Justice — our need to access the resources necessary to achieve our potential.
Safety — our need for stable and healthy circumstances, free from fear or anxiety.
Inclusion — our need to feel strong bonds and a sense of membership with each other.
Security —our need for predictable structures and reliable circumstances, as far as they depend on the intentions of people around us.
In your journal or in the comments below, think about the relationship between these basic needs. If some are met but one or two are not, what are the consequences?
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As stated, these needs are incredibly interrelated, and it is especially interesting to think through the impact if one of the needs are not met:
Justice without safety — People may have access to opportunities, but fear or anxiety keeps them from using them. This often leads to burnout, silence in meetings, or reluctance to take risks.
Safety without inclusion — The environment may feel calm, but people feel disconnected or invisible. This can create disengagement, low morale, and high turnover.
Inclusion without security — Strong relationships exist, but if structures are unpredictable or leadership is inconsistent, people feel uncertain and hesitant to trust.
Security without justice — Systems may be stable, but if resources or opportunities aren’t fairly distributed, resentment and inequity grow.
The deeper consequence: When one need is unmet, people start to protect themselves rather than contribute. Energy shifts from creativity and collaboration to coping and self-preservation. Over time, this erodes trust, reduces performance, and weakens the culture.